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The Power of Solar and Wind Energy Together

Will the future be powered by the sun and the wind? Although this sounds like wishful thinking in 2023, there is also a lot of evidence that a solar and wind-powered future may actually be a reality. Over the last 10 years, the amount of solar power in the United States has increased by over 600% while wind energy capacity has also tripled in size. With no signs of slowing down anytime soon, solar and wind are leading the way together toward a more sustainable future for both individuals and the world at large. In this article, we’ll look at the power of wind and solar together to illustrate how to combine the technologies and unlock the benefits that a...

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Exploring PV Solar Production Beyond the Panel

  When you think of solar energy, what is the first thing that comes to mind?  Barring the sun itself, if you’re like most people, you will immediately think of photovoltaic (PV) panels when the idea of solar is introduced.  While there are certainly no incorrect answers here, you may be interested to know that there are many new and interesting ways to generate solar power both now and in the future.  For DIY installations and massive commercial projects alike, renewable energy production is taking many forms in the 2020s, so we’ve developed this guide to keep you up to date with the latest and greatest solar power innovations “beyond the panel.”  Rigid vs Thin Film Solar Panels  While classic...

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Solar Energy, Solar Panels

Working in the Solar Industry in 2023

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work in the solar energy industry?  Well if you aren’t one of the hundreds of thousands of people who are actively doing so in the United States today, exploring a career in solar is now easier than ever before.  Over the last few decades, solar power has experienced massive growth in the US, in terms of both capacity installed and industry size. With a wide variety of roles that support residential, commercial, and utility-scale development, the Solar Energy Industries Association estimated that more than 255,000 Americans worked in solar in 2021. With our eyes set on a sustainable future, in this article, we’ll look all around the solar industry to...

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Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Solar Industry, Sustainable Energy

What is a Microgrid?

  Whether or not you’ve been paying attention to the news in the last decade, you may have heard the term “microgrid,” and not thought twice about what it may mean.  Although microgrids have been around for a long time, public interest in the technology is spiking, largely due to the lowering costs and increased availability of renewable energy generation around the world.  In this high-level guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about microgrids to demonstrate their value and showcase their role in a more sustainable global future.  Defining Microgrids  Compared to the large, interconnected electric utility grids in the United States, “micro” grids are essentially a smaller version of the way that most people receive their power. ...

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Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Sustainable Energy

How Many Solar Panels Do You Need?

At Solar Us Shop, we often get asked one question in many different ways: “How many solar panels do I need?” There are a lot of different answers to this inquiry, all of which depend on a few key variables. These include What is actually being powered (i.e. a home, RV, business, etc.) The size and efficiency of the solar panels The location of the installation And more     So while some products, such as our popular outdoor solar barn lights include the exact number of panels necessary to power themselves, most things in life require a bit more calculation.   In this article, we’ll share a few quick tips and tricks to help you determine how many solar panels you...

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Community Solar: Renewable Energy for All

Most people can agree that solar energy is a great way to generate emission-free electricity. but unfortunately, personal solar panel installations are not always a viable option. For example, residential solar panels must be installed by homeowners, so renters are often out of luck. Likewise, those that live in an apartment building or on a heavily shaded property lined with large trees may not have enough usable roof space for a cost-effective solar energy system.  That’s where community solar comes in.  At Solar Us Shop, we love all forms of solar, from handheld devices to massive utility-scale arrays. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how community solar works in order to help more people connect with renewable...

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Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Solar Industry, Solar Panels, Sustainable Energy

Solar Air Conditioning: How to Stay Cool with Green Electricity (At Home and On the Go)

  Believe it or not, that glowing ball of fire in the sky that we call “the sun” can actually be used to cool down your home with the right technology.  It’s true: solar-powered air conditioning is a real thing that is happening right now, all over the world – in both small and large-scale applications.   And while heat capture has long been a part of solar-assisted thermal cooling systems, modern photovoltaic (PV) electric solar panel systems can now be used to power every appliance in your home, from the toaster to your air conditioning system.  Solar Air Conditioning for Homes Costing United States residents approximately $29 billion annually, running the air conditioning at home is typically done at the...

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Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Sustainable Energy

Solar Energy & Electric Vehicles - Summer 2022

  Whether you’re watching television during a commercial break or are out on the road somewhere this summer, the presence of electric vehicles in the United States is at an all-time high and certainly more visible than ever.  Of course at Solar Us Shop, we couldn’t be more excited as, when in use, electric vehicles produce less overall emissions than traditional combustion chamber engines. With a greener future ahead, it is actually a bit shocking when you realize that cars are now being powered by the sun, via photovoltaic (PV) solar energy systems, all around the world.  Last summer we answered the question, “Can solar panels charge EVs?” to showcase exactly how small PV systems can power personal vehicles. This...

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Electric Vehicles, Solar Energy, Solar Panels

Top Four Tips to Save Money on Electric Bills in 2022

  We cannot deny that the rate of electricity is increasing day by day. Everyone cannot survive with the increase in the inflation rate. We need to study some ways to control the cost of electricity. Electricity is an essential part of life, and every electronic appliance is wasted without the connection of electricity. The rate of electricity is at its peak. If you want to save your money and use electricity, go for solar energy. There are different types of solar lights depending on your need. Other than this, you can limit the timings and control electricity usage. Try to hand the laundry and dry the clothes in the direct sunlight instead of using the washing dryer.  Below are...

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1 comment Climate Change, Global Warming, Solar Panels, Sustainable Energy

Gear up for a Solar Powered Summer

  Aah… the summer. Longer days, warmer weather, and a calendar full of vacations, BBQs, and outdoor get-togethers.  As Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, it's time to begin thinking about what gear you’ll need to make sure that the fun never stops, and at Solar Us Shop, we’d like to encourage our readers to look upward and power this season with solar energy.  Solar Powered Products for Summer 2022 Although the White House called 2021 the “Summer of Solar”, there is no reason to stop while we're ahead. From utility-scale projects to handheld renewable energy devices, solar is everywhere in 2022, and we are thrilled to be along for the ride.  With 12 hours of sunlight on...

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Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Solar Panels, Sustainable Energy

Solar Breeze Ariel - Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Best Practices

The weather is getting warmer, and for some lucky people, this means that it is officially time to open up the pool! Last summer, our never-ending quest to showcase the world’s best renewable energy products allowed us to introduce the Solar Breeze Ariel, an instant hit among eco-conscious pool owners.   And while we already highlighted many of this solar-powered, surface-skimming pool cleaner’s best features in our full review of the Solar-Breeze Ariel, there is still a lot to know about how to properly use this great product.  To help our new, existing, and future customers have the best ownership experience possible, here are some essential tips and tricks on how to take care of your Solar Breeze Ariel. How to...

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11 comments Solar Energy

How To Save Energy at Home: 10 Tips

  With gas and electricity prices on the rise, it's never been more important to keep an eye on your energy usage. A few simple changes to your daily routine will not only help you save on your energy bills but will also make your home more sustainable. Need some pointers? Read on for 10 effective ways of saving energy at home.  1. Carry Out a Home Energy Audit Before you start making any significant changes to your everyday habits, it makes sense to carry out a home energy audit. Many companies offer this as a service, but you can undertake an audit yourself with little effort. Inspect your property for things like air leaks that might lead to unwanted...

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Electric Vehicles, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Solar Panels, Sustainable Energy

What Are The Major Things You Must Know Before Installing Solar Panels On Your Home?

  The world is constantly progressing forward, looking for innovative ways to preserve energy and protect the planet. One of the century's major innovations is solar panels. They allow us to use clean and renewable electricity for our homes and workplaces. Reducing energy consumption and switching to solar is the breakthrough that proves the advancement in the ecological side of technology. In addition to being environmentally friendly, it can save you a lot of money in the long run after a one-time investment. There are various things to consider before installing solar panels in your home. This article will run you through a few things to know before taking the next step. In this way, you can understand whether a...

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Discover the Future of Energy - 7 Types of Renewable Energy

  The world relies heavily on energy for manufacturing, transportation, lighting and heating. Traditionally, most of this energy has been produced by burning coal, oil and natural gas. These sources will run out at some point as we continue to extract them from the earth. As a planet, we need to turn to renewable energy to ensure we all have sufficient power in the future. We must also use energy sources that don’t damage the environment and impair our health. Renewable energy is the answer. What is Renewable Energy? Energy sources that do not deplete when used and replenish themselves infinitely are renewable. This includes sunlight, waves, wind and geothermal heat. By contrast, natural gas, oil and coal (fossil fuels)...

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Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Sustainable Energy, Wind Energy

How the Circular Economy can Support the Push for Sustainable Energy

  With the growing demand for renewable energy sources like solar power, it's easy to forget that the immediate source of energy is not the only area where the environment can suffer. We are increasingly facing supply chain issues and environmental concerns over the resources needed to make sustainable energy sources in the first place.  Much of this issue revolves around rare earth materials which, as the name suggests, are hard to come by, and get harder with every load that is pulled from the earth. Furthermore, there is much concern over the mining practices used to get these materials, specifically with regards to the damage it does to the surrounding environment. A Circular Economy Many of these issues can...

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Climate Change, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Sustainable Energy, Wind Energy